PONDA: The Kavlem flower vendors, rickshaw operators and shop owners conducting business at Shantadurga Temple premises on Tuesday urged the government to provide financial assistance as they having been suffering losses due to COVID-19 pandemic.
On account of COVID-19 related government guidelines, the flow of tourists have been reduced and hundreds of small vendors and rickshaw operators dependent on them are worried over their family livelihood.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Putting forth their grievances before the media persons, Kavlem Sarpanch Rajesh Kavlekar said,“The flower vendors and rickshaw operators conducting business near Shantadurga Temple premises have lost their livelihood for the past six months on account of COVID-19 pandemic. I had urged Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant to provide financial help to them as they have no other source of income.”
“After COVID-19, the tourists flow in the temple has been reduced though the temples are opened. Some flower vendors are widow women struggling to survive and feed their children. At least they should be given some relief by the Chief Minister on priority basis. All of them were depending on the tourists,” he added.
Besides, women flower vendors, the rickshaw operators, shop owners and other small business also lost their livelihood and waiting for help from the government. Similar situation is also prevailing in other temples’ premises in Ponda Taluka.
